Ikon awarded Research Continuity Grant by Paul Mellon Centre
Ikon has been awarded a Research Continuity Grant by Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art to undertake research on members of the Blk Art Group who exhibited at the gallery during the 1990s. This includes artist Keith Piper who in Summer 2021 will present a new digital film reflecting on the proposition of A Ship Called Jesus, an earlier work by him about the legacy of the slave trade.
“The Paul Mellon Centre grant presents a unique opportunity for Ikon’s curatorial team to undertake in-depth research into the gallery’s archive, with an idea of capitalising on past programmes in a way that will directly inform the commissioning of new work. In light of our 1990s survey exhibition (A Very Special Place) being postponed until summer 2021, specifically we will be focusing attention on exhibitions during that decade including work by members of the Blk Art Group (including Keith Piper and Donald Rodney), an aspect of our history that presents great scope for artistic and audience engagement, with extensive online activity. The project overall will be enhanced through contributions made by freelance practitioners and academics.”
Jonathan Watkins, Director, Ikon Gallery
Paul Mellon Centre is an educational charity committed to promoting original, world-class research into the history of British art and architecture of all periods.
Keith Piper, A Ship Called Jesus (1991), Installation view. Commissioned by Ikon Gallery